Promotional Card Deck

ABSTRACT

A playing card deck includes a package marked to resemble a book, and a plurality of playing cards retained by the package, each having a first surface depicting first information related to second information in the book the package resembles. The package may also include a front surface marked to resemble a front cover of the book, a first side marked to resemble a fore edge of the book, a top side marked to resemble a top edge of the book, a bottom side marked to resemble a tail edge of the book, a back surface marked to resemble a back cover of the book, and a second side marked to resemble a spine of the book. The first information depicted on the first surface of each card may include images of one or more products described in the book.

This is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/032,534, filed on 15 Feb. 2008 which is a continuation inpart of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/532,353, filed on15 Sep. 2006 all of which are incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

Playing cards have been in existence for some time and are generallysized to fit in a hand. A set of cards is usually referred to as a deck.Playing cards are used in magic tricks and are generally used to playgames. Playing cards may be used to play, for example, Baccarat,Blackjack, Cribbage, Pinochle, Poker, Rummy, etc. It would beadvantageous to provide a deck of cards that in addition to providing agaming function also promotes or advertises products and services.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a playing card deck includes a package marked toresemble a book, and a plurality of playing cards retained by thepackage, each having a first surface depicting first information relatedto second information in the book the package resembles.

The package may also include a front surface marked to resemble a frontcover of the book, a first side marked to resemble a fore edge of thebook, a top side marked to resemble a top edge of the book, a bottomside marked to resemble a tail edge of the book, a back surface markedto resemble a back cover of the book, and a second side marked toresemble a spine of the book.

The book may include one or more of a catalogue, encyclopedia, handbook,or other publication, and the first information depicted on the firstsurface of each card may include images of one or more productsdescribed in the book. The first information depicted on the firstsurface may include images of one or more pages of the book.

Each of the plurality of playing cards may have a second surface markedto resemble a front cover or a back cover of the book the packageresembles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention areexplained in the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment including a portion of a deck ofplaying cards according to the disclosed embodiments;

FIGS. 2-9 show embodiments with suit indicators indicating an entity tobe promoted and rankings indicating objects associated with the entity.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment where each card has a face with a rankingindicator, a suit indicator, and a representation of a product;

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment where the enterprise may be a provider ofprocess measuring and controlling equipment;

FIG. 12 shows a portion of a card deck where the back of each card mayinclude promotional indicia for a particular product line of theenterprise;

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment where the suits each designate an enterpriseproduct line;

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment where the cards within each suit haverepresentations of products and services within a designated productline;

FIG. 15 shows a single card embodiment;

FIGS. 16A through 16D shows exemplary embodiments where the a cardpackage may be constructed to look like published material;

FIG. 17 shows another exemplary card deck;

FIGS. 18A through 18E show additional exemplary embodiments of a cardpackage; and

FIGS. 19A and 19B show another exemplary card deck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment including a portion of an exemplarydeck of playing cards 100. Although the presently disclosed embodimentswill be described with reference to the drawings, it should beunderstood that they may be embodied in many alternate forms. It shouldalso be understood that In addition, any suitable size, shape or type ofelements or materials could be used.

It is a feature of the disclosed embodiments to provide a set or deck ofplaying cards that provide users with a game to play as well asproviding an advertising, marketing, or promotional device.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the deck 100 may include, for example, anumber of playing cards 110, 115. Each card 110, 115 may generally havea rectangular shape. Each card may also have a suit indicator 120 and aranking 125. In this embodiment, the suit indicator may be any commonmarking for a group of cards and the ranking may be any hierarchicalindication. Some embodiments may include more than one rankingindicator, for example, a numerical ranking indicator and anon-numerical ranking indicator. The non-numeric ranking indicator maybe a symbol. As another example, a typical playing card ranking such as2-10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, along with a ranking specific to a suitindicator may be included on each card. As a more specific example,cards having a mountain as the suit indicator might display photographsof different mountains in order of their height with the lowest mountaindisplayed on the card showing a 2, each subsequently higher mountaindisplayed on cards showing 3-10, Jack, Queen, and King, respectively,with the highest mountain displayed on the card showing the Ace.

Individual cards or the deck of cards may be embodied in an electronicform, for example, in a video game. Other embodiments may includeelectronic wagering or gaming devices, such as or similar to video pokeror video blackjack games. Electronic gaming devices are generallycontrolled by a computing device such as a microprocessor that mayinclude a random number generator. The random number generator may beused to generate suit indicators and rankings within a set of suitsindicators and rankings specific to one or more decks of cards. A userinterface provides a visual and audio presentation to a player andreceives input from the player related to playing the game. Thecomputing device generates cards and computes outcomes based on the gamebeing played, the cards, and player input.

Individual cards or the deck of cards may also be embodied in a tangibleform and may be constructed of cardboard, linen, paper, plastic, or anyother suitable material. The cards may each typically measureapproximately 2½ inches in width by 3½ inches in height. Each card maytypically range in thickness from 0.001 to 0.02 inches, but may have anythickness.

In this embodiment the suit indicators may be indicative of an entity tobe promoted and the rankings may indicate objects within each entity.For example, the suit indicators may be indicative of a group to bepromoted by distributing or displaying the cards and the rankings mayindicate individuals or individual entities within each group. An entitymay include an organization, group, enterprise, event, or any suitablegrouping. An entity may also include an artistic, dramatic, literary, ormusical work, for example, a work of art, a film, a show, a publishedwork, etc. An object may include an individual, a unit, or a sub-entityassociated with the entity.

FIG. 2 shows an example where, in a deck of cards 200, the entitiesshown by the suit indicators 210 may indicate sports, for example,football, baseball, basketball, soccer, etc. and the rankings 220 withineach suit may show athletes that play that sport.

In FIG. 3, an exemplary card deck 300 where the suit indicators 310 mayindicate an entertainment field, for example, movies, television, music,theater, etc. is depicted. The ranking indicators 315 may displaycelebrities within each of the fields of entertainment.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a portion of a card deck 400 where the suitindicators 410 may indicate a field of activity or employment, forexample, science, medicine, law, business, etc. In this embodiment, theranking indicators 415 may indicate various positions within eachprofession. For example, the ranking indicators in the law professionmay range from a clerk position to a seat on the Supreme Court.

FIG. 5 illustrates a card deck example 500 where the suit indicators 510may indicate political parties such as Democratic, Republican,Independent, Libertarian, and the ranking indicators 515 may displaycandidates for office within each particular party.

An exemplary embodiment 600 is represented in FIG. 6 where the suit 610indicators may indicate different categories of tools such as powertools, hand tools, landscaping tools, automotive tools, etc. In thisembodiment, the ranking indicators 615 may indicate various types oftools within each category, such as types of saws, shovels, wrenches,etc.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 depicts a card deck 700 with suitindicators 710 that may include indications of branches of militaryservice, i.e. Army, Navy, Marines, Air force, Coast Guard, etc. Theranking indicators 715 may indicate the various ranks within eachservice branch. One example may include a Five-Star General as the toprank and a Private as the lowest rank.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a card deck 800 for promoting afood service or supermarket, where the suit indicators 810 may depictdifferent types of food or departments. For example, suit indicators mayinclude produce, meats, health and beauty, dry goods, canned goods, etc.The rank indicators 815 may then include representations of productswithin a type of food or within a particular department.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a deck of cards 900 for promoting adepartment store, where the suit indicators 910 may indicate differentdepartments, such as women's clothing, men's clothing, boys' clothing,girls' clothing, housewares, shoes, bedding, furniture, etc. The rankingindicators may include various items within each department. Asmentioned above, each card may have more than one ranking indicatorincluding a numerical indicator 915 and a symbol 920 indicating an item.

Using shoes as a suit indicator example, the 2 card may displayslippers, the 3 card, sandals, the 4 card, athletic wear, the 5 card,flats, and continuing in like manner through the 6-9 cards, with the 10,pumps, the Jack, oxfords, the Queen, evening wear, the King, wingtips,and boots may be displayed on the Ace.

It is another feature of the disclosed embodiments to provide a playingcard for promotional purposes that has a face with a ranking indicator,a suit indicator, and a representation of a product. The playing cardhas a back with promotional indicia for the enterprise that provides theproduct.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a deck of cards having this feature. Thedeck 1000 of FIG. 10 may include, for example, fifty-two playing cardssimilar to those used in playing card games such as Poker and Blackjack.Each card 1010 may generally have a rectangular shape. Each card has afront and a back. In this embodiment, the deck of playing cards mayinclude four suits, that is, clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades. Eachsuit may include cards with values of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10,face cards Jack, Queen and King, as well as an Ace. Designations of thesuits 1015 and values 1020 or face cards 1025 may be placed on opposingdiagonal corners 1030, 1035 on the front 1040 of each card.

The back 1045 of each card in the deck may be imprinted with the samedesign which may include a logo, trademark, trade name, service mark,slogan, product, service or any other promotional indicia 1050 of anenterprise. The promotional indicia 1050 may also include enterprisecontact information, sales information, etc. The enterprise may includeany business, group, association, individual, or any other entity forwhich promotion or marketing may be desired.

The front or face of each card may also include a representation 1055 ofa product offered by the enterprise. In one embodiment, the front ofeach of the cards of the card deck 1000 may have a representation of adifferent product.

It should be understood that the representations 1055 may include aproduct, and for purposes of the disclosed embodiments, a product mayinclude a device, a system, various components or equipment, a service,a number of services, or any combination of devices, systems,components, equipment, or services. The products may be represented byphotographs, drawings, symbols or any representation for conveyingproduct information. In addition, the deck 1000 is not limited to anynumber of cards or to having suits or any particular type or number ofsuits.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a deck of cards 1100 where the enterprisemay be a provider of process measuring and controlling equipment andservices and the products may include process measurement devices,process control equipment, measurement and control systems, ormeasurement and control services. The process measurement and controlproducts may include measurement and control devices and servicesrelated to temperature, force, flow, levels, pH, conductivity, andpower. The process measurement and control products may also includeprocess design and consultation services. The front or face 1110 of eachcard may include a representation 1115 of a product offered by theenterprise. Designations of the suits 1120 and values 11125 or facecards 1130 may be placed on opposing diagonal corners on the front 1110of each card, similar to other embodiments.

The back 1135 of each card in the deck may be imprinted with the samedesign which may include a logo, trademark, trade name, service mark,slogan, product, service or any other promotional indicia 1140 of anenterprise.

FIG. 12 shows a portion of another embodiment of a card deck 1200. Inthis embodiment, the back 1210 of each card may include promotionalindicia 1220 for a particular product line of the enterprise and therepresentations 1225 on the front 1230 of each card may include productsof that particular product line. For example, the promotional indicia onthe back 1210 of all cards in the deck 1200 may be related to a productline of temperature measurement and control equipment and services, andthe representations on the front 1230 of each card could include adifferent temperature measurement and control device, for example,various types of thermocouples, infrared thermometers, and varioustemperature control devices.

FIG. 13 shows a card deck embodiment 1300 where the suits each designatean enterprise product line and the representations within each suitinclude products from the particular product line. As a further exampleof process control and measurement products, cards 1310 having the suitof clubs may include representations of temperature measurement products1315 on their face 1320, cards 1325 having the suit of diamonds mayinclude force measurement products 1330 on their face 1335, cards 1340having the suit of hearts may include flow and level measurementproducts 1345 on their face 1350, and cards 1355 having the suit ofspades may include pH and conductivity products 1360 on their face 1365.The back 1370 of all cards in the deck 1300 may include promotionalindicia 1375 of the enterprise.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment where the suits themselves may be symbolsthat designate a product line and the cards within each suit may haverepresentations of products and services within the designated productline. For example, a portion of a deck of cards 1400 may represent aline of temperature measurement products and may be designated by a suithaving a temperature symbol 1410 on their front 1415 and cards havingthe temperature symbol suit may each portray a temperature measurementproduct 1420 on their face 1425.

Other suits may include a force symbol 1430, where cards having theforce symbol suit each portray a force measurement product 1435 on theirface 1440, a flow symbol 1445, where cards having the flow symbol suiteach portray a flow measuring product 1450 on their face 1455, and a pHsymbol 1460, where cards having the pH symbol suit each portray a pHmeasuring product 1465 on their face 1470. The number of suits withinthe deck 1400 may be any suitable number as may be the number of cardswithin each suit.

The enterprise may utilize the card deck embodiments in promotionalactivities by assembling a quantity of cards into a deck. Each card maygenerally include a face including having a value indicator, a suitindicator, and a representation of a process measurement and controlproduct. Each card may also include a back having promotional indiciafor an enterprise that provides the process measurement and controlproduct. The enterprise may then distribute the assembled card deck topotential clients, interested parties, or elsewhere.

FIG. 15 shows a single card embodiment of the concepts described herein.The card 1500 has a face 1510 with a value indicator 1515, a suitindicator 1520, and a representation 1525 of a process measurement andcontrol product. The card has a back 1530 with promotional indicia 1540for the enterprise that provides the process measurement and controlproduct.

The enterprise may use the single card embodiment for promotionalactivities. This may be accomplished, for example, by applying a valueindicator, a suit indicator, and a representation of a processmeasurement and control product on the face of a playing card; andapplying promotional indicia for an enterprise that provides the processmeasurement and control product on a back of the playing card. Thesingle playing card may then be distributed. Promotional activities mayinclude encouraging potential clients to collect all variations of theplaying cards in order to assemble them into a deck.

Other embodiments may include packaging for the card deck. The packagingmay include a wrapper, box, enclosure, or any other suitable package forthe card deck. The packaging may be used to promote any combination ofan entity, or products or services offered by the entity. For example, acard deck may be enclosed in a package with a logo or other indicatorassociated with a provider of process measuring and controllingequipment and services. The indicator may signify the provider ofprocess measuring and controlling equipment and services itself or mayinclude representations or images of products offered by the providerincluding, without limitation, process measurement devices, processcontrol equipment, measurement and control systems, or measurement andcontrol services. As an example, the process measurement and controlproducts may include measurement and control devices and servicesrelated to temperature, force, flow, levels, pH, conductivity, andpower. As a further example, the process measurement and controlproducts may also include process design and consultation services.

FIGS. 16A through 16D shows exemplary embodiments where the a cardpackage 1600 may be constructed to look like a book, catalogue,encyclopedia or handbook, or other publication or published material,also referred to herein as a book. Turning to FIG. 16A, the front 1605of the exemplary package 1600 may be constructed to have the sameappearance as an actual front cover of a book. FIG. 16B shows a sideview of package 1600 illustrating a first side 1610 of package 1600constructed to look like a fore edge of a book, a top side 1615 ofpackage 1600 constructed to look like a top edge of a book, and a bottomside 1620 constructed to look like a tail edge of a book. FIG. 16C showsa back surface 1625 of package 1600 that is constructed to look like aback cover of a book. FIG. 16D shows a second side 1630 of package 1600constructed to look like a book spine.

In some embodiments, the package 1600 may have sides that look like afront cover, fore edge, top edge, a tail edge, back cover and spine ofone or more of a Temperature Handbook, a Temperature Encyclopedia, aTemperature Handbook and Encyclopedia, a Pressure Handbook, a PressureEncyclopedia, a Pressure Handbook and Encyclopedia, a Flow, Level andEnvironmental Handbook, a Flow, Level and Environmental Encyclopedia, aFlow, Level and Environmental Handbook and Encyclopedia, a DataAcquisition Systems Handbook, a Data Acquisition Systems Encyclopedia, aData Acquisition Systems Handbook and Encyclopedia, an OmegamationComplete Automation Handbook, an Omegamation Complete AutomationEncyclopedia, an Omegamation Complete Automation Handbook andEncyclopedia, an Electric Heaters Handbook, an Electric HeatersEncyclopedia, an Electric Heaters Handbook and Encyclopedia, a pH andConductivity Handbook, a pH and Conductivity Encyclopedia, a pH andConductivity Handbook and Encyclopedia, an Omega Handbook, an OmegaEncyclopedia, an Omega Handbook and Encyclopedia, a Made in the USAHandbook, a Made in the USA Encyclopedia, a Made in the USA Handbook andEncyclopedia, an Omegadyne Handbook, an Omegadyne Encyclopedia, anOmegadyne Handbook and Encyclopedia, a Measurement and Control Handbook,a Measurement and Control Encyclopedia, a Measurement and ControlHandbook and Encyclopedia, and a Bluecat Buyers' Guide.

In some embodiments, the card deck package 1600 may be constructed as adifferent size or similar size version of one or more of a book,catalogue, encyclopedia or handbook. In some embodiments, the card deckpackage 1600 may be constructed as a miniature version of one or more ofa book, catalogue, encyclopedia or handbook. In addition, someembodiments may be constructed as a miniature version of one or more ofthe particular Handbooks, Encyclopedias, and Handbook and Encyclopediasmentioned above, with the front cover 1605, fore edge 1610, top edge1615, tail edge 1620, back cover 1625, and spine 1630 constructed tolook like corresponding components of the corresponding Handbook,Encyclopedia, or Handbook and Encyclopedia.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary card deck 1700 for use with package 1600. Inat least one exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of a surface 1710of one or more cards 1705 of the deck 1700 may be used to illustrateproducts related to a topic discussed, a technology area, or a serviceoffered in the book, catalogue, encyclopedia, handbook, or publisheddocument the package resembles. At least a portion of a surface 1710 ofone or more cards 1705 of the deck 1700 may be used to illustrateproducts portrayed in the book, catalogue, encyclopedia, handbook, orpublished document the package resembles. In at least one embodiment oneor more cards of the deck 1700 depict a corresponding page of the book,catalogue, encyclopedia, handbook, or published document the packageresembles.

FIGS. 18A through 18E show additional exemplary embodiments where a cardpackage 1800 may be constructed to look like a book. FIG. 18A shows afront 1805 of the exemplary package 1800 with markings or printingresembling a front cover of a book. FIG. 18B shows a side view ofpackage 1800 illustrating a first side 1810 of package 1800 withmarkings resembling a fore edge of a book, a top side 1815 of package1800 with markings resembling a top edge of a book, and a bottom side1820 with markings resembling a tail edge of a book. FIG. 18C shows aback surface 1825 of package 1800 including markings resembling a backcover of a book. FIG. 18D shows a second side 1830 of package 1800 withmarkings resembling a book spine. FIG. 18E illustrates anotherembodiment of bottom side 1820 with a logo or other promotional indiciaassociated with an enterprise, for example, a provider of processmeasuring and controlling equipment and services.

In some embodiments, the package 1800 may have sides that resemble afront cover, fore edge, top edge, a tail edge, back cover and spine ofone or more handbooks, encyclopedias, handbooks and encyclopedias, orguides including those particular Handbooks, Encyclopedias, Handbook andEncyclopedias, and Guides described above.

In some embodiments, the card deck package 1800 may be constructed as adifferent size or similar size version of one or more of a book,catalogue, encyclopedia or handbook. In some embodiments, the card deckpackage 1800 may be constructed as a miniature version of one or more ofa book, catalogue, encyclopedia or handbook. In addition, someembodiments may be constructed as a miniature version of one or more ofthe particular Handbooks, Encyclopedias, Handbook and Encyclopedias, andGuides mentioned above, with the front cover 1805, fore edge 1810, topedge 1815, tail edge 1820, back cover 1825, and spine 1830 constructedto look like corresponding components of the corresponding Handbook,Encyclopedia, Handbook and Encyclopedia, or Guide.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show an exemplary card deck 1900 for use with packages1800 and 1700. In at least one exemplary embodiment, at least a portionof a surface 1910 of one or more cards 1905 of the deck 1900 may be usedto illustrate products related to a topic discussed, a technology area,or a service offered in the book, catalogue, encyclopedia, handbook, orpublished document the package resembles. At least a portion of a frontsurface 1910 of one or more cards 1905 of the deck 1900 may includefirst information corresponding to second information portrayed on apage of the book the package resembles. For example, front surface 1910may be used to illustrate products portrayed in the book, catalogue,encyclopedia, handbook, or published document the package resembles. Inat least one embodiment one or more cards of the deck 1900 depict acorresponding page of the book, catalogue, encyclopedia, handbook, orpublished document the package resembles. FIG. 19B shows an embodimentof another card deck 1915 also for use with packages 1800 and 1700. Oneor more cards of card deck 1915 may have a surface 1920 depicting afront or back cover of the book, catalogue, encyclopedia, handbook, orpublished document the package 1800, 1700 resembles.

Thus, the disclosed embodiments provide a card or deck of cards thatpromote various products including devices, systems, components,equipment, and services of an enterprise and in addition, provide a gamefor potential clients. The disclosed embodiments also include packagingfor the promotional card deck that may resemble a published documentoffered by an enterprise utilizing the card deck.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is onlyillustrative of the present embodiments. Various alternatives andmodifications can be devised by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the embodiments disclosed herein. Accordingly, theembodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modificationsand variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A playing card deck comprising: a package marked to resemble a book;and a plurality of playing cards retained by the package, each having afirst surface depicting first information related to second informationin the book the package resembles.
 2. The playing card deck of claim 1,the package further comprising: a front surface marked to resemble afront cover of the book; a first side marked to resemble a fore edge ofthe book; a top side marked to resemble a top edge of the book; a bottomside marked to resemble a tail edge of the book; a back surface markedto resemble a back cover of the book; and a second side marked toresemble a spine of the book.
 3. The playing card deck of claim 1,wherein the book includes one or more of a catalogue, encyclopedia,handbook, or other publication.
 4. The playing card deck of claim 1,wherein the book includes one or more of: a Temperature Handbook, aTemperature Encyclopedia, a Temperature Handbook and Encyclopedia, aPressure Handbook, a Pressure Encyclopedia, a Pressure Handbook andEncyclopedia, a Flow, Level and Environmental Handbook, a Flow, Leveland Environmental Encyclopedia, a Flow, Level and Environmental Handbookand Encyclopedia, a Data Acquisition Systems Handbook, a DataAcquisition Systems Encyclopedia, a Data Acquisition Systems Handbookand Encyclopedia, an Omegamation Complete Automation Handbook, anOmegamation Complete Automation Encyclopedia, an Omegamation CompleteAutomation Handbook and Encyclopedia, an Electric Heaters Handbook, anElectric Heaters Encyclopedia, an Electric Heaters Handbook andEncyclopedia, a pH and Conductivity Handbook, a pH and ConductivityEncyclopedia, a pH and Conductivity Handbook and Encyclopedia, an OmegaHandbook, an Omega Encyclopedia, an Omega Handbook and Encyclopedia, aMade in the USA Handbook, a Made in the USA Encyclopedia, a Made in theUSA Handbook and Encyclopedia, an Omegadyne Handbook, an OmegadyneEncyclopedia, an Omegadyne Handbook and Encyclopedia, a Measurement andControl Handbook, a Measurement and Control Encyclopedia, a Measurementand Control Handbook and Encyclopedia, and a Bluecat Buyers' Guide. 5.The playing card deck of claim 1, wherein the first information depictedon the first surface includes images of one or more products describedin the book.
 6. The playing card deck of claim 1, wherein the firstinformation depicted on the first surface includes images of one or morepages of the book.
 7. The playing card deck of claim 1, wherein theplurality of playing cards each has a second surface marked to resemblea front cover of the book the package resembles.
 8. The playing carddeck of claim 1, wherein the plurality of playing cards each has asecond surface marked to resemble a back cover of the book the packageresembles.